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Jun 11

Using the Blend tool and Distort Zig Zag Effect in Illustrator

2007 at 09.45 am posted by Veerle Pieters

In my previous Illustrator tutorial I showed you how to create some cool looking effects with lines using the Transform Again feature. I would like to continue this path and share some other cool effects you can achieve with simple shapes or lines. A few readers asked me if I could explain how I created the blending wave lines. This is done using the Blend tool…

The Blend tool

Draw 2 lines that cross each other

Start by drawing 2 curving lines using the pen tool. Make sure these 2 lines cross each other at least once. This will create this rather cool effect once we apply the Blend tool. Give the lines a stroke color.

Apply the blend

Select both lines using the Selection Tool (black arrow). Now double click the Blend tool in the Toolbox to get the Blend Options box. Enter 20 for the amount of steps and select the 2nd orientation option. Click OK. Now with the tool and both lines still selected, click in the starting point of the first line and then click in the starting point of the second line.

Edit the path or color if needed

You should get a blending effect of different lines in between as shown in the above image. With the Direct Selection tool you can select one of the lines you've originally drawn. The lines in between are not visible in outline mode. Yu can't select or edit them, but you can still modify the color of both lines you've drawn and you can change the shape or even add points if you like.

You can use the Blend tool on any shape. You can blend from a star to a circle, a line to a rectangle, etc. If I'm my memory serves me right I use to create gradients like this using this same technique back in older Illustrator versions. You can still do this but Illustrator offers you far more easier ways and the Blend tool is more likely used for special effects like for instance this line effect described here.

Distort Zig Zag Effect

Another way to achieve interesting line effects starting from a simple shape, is by using the Distort Zig Zag Effect. I'm choosing the Zig Zag effect because this effect will give a rather symmetrical end result compared to the other Distort effects. They can be interesting to experiment with if you're after a more random or even chaotic end result. Also one advice if I may, choose Effects over Filters if possible. Effects are adjustable at any time using the Appearance palette. Filters on the other hand don't give you that flexibility and freedom. Once applied, you need to use the undo to change the result and start over. So keep that in mind ;)

Draw a circle (hold down shift key). Give the circle a stroke or line filling. Go to the Effects menu and choose Zig Zag from the Distort submenu. Check the preview option and play with the sliders.

Or draw a star (using the Star tool, hidden under the Rectangle tool). I chose to give the star a dashed line. Go to the same Effect again and play with the sliders. Again, don't forget to check the preview option to see the end result.

My end result, just lines

It's that simple. Who said Illustrator is difficult? ;) Ok it needs a lot of practice and patience to become a pro, but if you approach things in a creative way you get nice things done in a pretty easy way with limited steps. Hope you enjoyed this one ;)

Want to learn more?

A good and not expensive source to learn more about Illustrator, Photoshop, or web design is by joining the Tuts+ sites. You get access to the source files for just $9 a month. So your ONE membership gives you access to members-only content for ALL the Plus sites. I've written a tutorial for the Vector Tuts section.

mario Mon Jun 11, 2007 at 11.26 am

Nice one - that’s worked out pretty well for something I’m doing right now :O)

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Esther Mon Jun 11, 2007 at 02.36 pm

I read that previous Illustrator tutorial the other day and actually wanted to know how to create that effect on the lines! I knew that Transform Again would be used, but I couldn’t quite achieve the look I wanted. Thanks for sharing! I don’t know why I didn’t think to request that you reveal the tutorial for this as well :P

An excellent tutorial - this one finally convinced me to stop being a lurker and register. Thanks again Veerle.

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Jackie Tue Jun 12, 2007 at 01.40 am

Very neat. It is interesting to see how you turned the two lines into the graph-like spiral image. I have used the blend tool to blend other shapes like stars, which you can actully turn into things like flowers, and so forth, just by using the distort and transform filter in certain ways. There are also ways of taking a basic circle shape, and turning it into like a sun with points radiating from it. In fact, there are logos that have been created like this, if you know enough about how to use the filters to produce the desired results. I think the Smithsonian’s logo may have been created like this, with a filter effect. Anyway, Veerle, thanks for these fun tips - you always know how to do everything!

Veerle Sat Jun 16, 2007 at 06.24 pm

In your first example, actually, you CAN edit all the lines in between the original lines by using the Flatten Transparency in the Object menu.

Flatten to a vector, then un-group the whole thing and then, each line is selectable and you can change the color stroke and whatever else, and can be a fun way to change the linear pattern a bit!

I was speaking from the current situation actually. Interesting that you mention this, because I always do this in another way. I use Object > Expand for any effect I want to do extra edits and where I have no choice then to ‘break’ the link with it.